{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1458200,
        "msgid": "ri-polls-strong-example-us-1447893297",
        "date": "2004-09-22 00:00:00",
        "title": "RI polls strong example: U.S.",
        "author": null,
        "source": "AFP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "RI polls strong example: U.S. Agencies, Washington The United States congratulated Indonesia on Monday on the conclusion of its first-ever direct elections of its president, saying the polls set a good example of democracy for Asia. \"We congratulate Indonesia on the conclusion of these historic elections,\" U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said on Monday in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta on Tuesday.",
        "content": "<p>RI polls strong example: U.S.<\/p>\n<p>Agencies, Washington<\/p>\n<p>The United States congratulated Indonesia on Monday on the<br>\nconclusion of its first-ever direct elections of its president,<br>\nsaying the polls set a good example of democracy for Asia.<\/p>\n<p>\"We congratulate Indonesia on the conclusion of these historic<br>\nelections,\" U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli<br>\nsaid on Monday in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post<br>\nby the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>\"What we have seen is that these elections have set a strong<br>\nexample for the region and emerging democracies everywhere,\"<br>\nEreli said in Washington.<\/p>\n<p>\"As Indonesia's close friend and partner, the United States<br>\nstrongly supports the country's democratic process,\" the<br>\nstatement said.<\/p>\n<p>The landmark poll is a milestone in Indonesia's sometimes<br>\nviolent transition to democracy since the fall of authoritarian<br>\nSoeharto regime in 1998.<\/p>\n<p>Although the official result of the elections will not be<br>\nknown until Oct. 5, incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri is<br>\nseen to be headed for landslide defeat at the hands of former<br>\ngeneral Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who has promised better security<br>\nand economic reform.<\/p>\n<p>Susilo is predicted to win 61.2 percent of the votes against<br>\n38.8 percent for Megawati, according to credible surveys released<br>\njust hours after ballots closed but days ahead of full official<br>\nresults.<\/p>\n<p>\"I wouldn't start speculating about a new government, because<br>\nthe results of the elections are not final, nor have they been<br>\nannounced,\" Ereli said when asked whether the United States<br>\nexpected cooperation against terrorism to intensify under any new<br>\nadministration.<\/p>\n<p>Separately, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on<br>\nTuesday his country would enjoy a close security relationship<br>\nwith Indonesia if Susilo won the presidential elections.<\/p>\n<p>Howard described Susilo as an able man and noted that he had<br>\nalready visited Australia. Megawati never visited Australia<br>\nduring her time in office.<\/p>\n<p>Howard would not directly comment on whether Susilo would be<br>\nstronger in the war on terrorism than Megawati.<\/p>\n<p>\"I believe that under a Yudhoyono (Susilo) administration we<br>\nwill have a very close security arrangement,\" Howard told Cairns<br>\nradio station 4CA.<\/p>\n<p>Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Monday<br>\nthe outcome of the presidential election would not alter<br>\nCanberra's close ties with Jakarta.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-polls-strong-example-us-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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